St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:  

Yes, the bulletin article below may sound similar to last week’s.  However, I think it may be worth repeating somewhat and expanding it.

We all know how important a vacation is for our bodies and spirits.  We all know that summer provides extra time to “get away” and relax and “just be.”  School is out.  The temps are nice for driving and exploring and camping.  People relish their time of retreating from the stress of life.

HOWEVER---when it comes to our faith, and the practice of it, there is NEVER a vacation time.  As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to be “on the job” 24/7, 365 days a year.  There isn’t a need to “get away” from Mass.  Mass is always there, and so should we be always there.  EVEN when we are on vacation, we should make an attempt to be at a church.  There is a church somewhere close most times.

Our Catholic faith is so important that we are not to relax from it.  Just think if we needed the Lord badly and He told us he was on vacation.  What would we say?  What if we tell Him we are on vacation from Him???

May we value our Catholic faith so deeply that we would not even think to vacate it from our life.

May we value our Catholic faith so deeply that we never want to take time off from practicing it.

May we value our Catholic faith so deeply that we resolve each weekend to come to the Eucharistic table of our Lord at St. Joseph the Worker in Chatham or to a Catholic Church near our vacation spot.

Your Pastor, Father Joe

P.S.  I have noticed a slight “problem, concern” lately—people leaving Mass early.  There are times when that is fine, say work commitments, age & mobility, family issues.  However, if it is just to “beat the crowd” or “get a better table at the restaurant,” I would ask you to rethink.  Just 2-3 minutes more for the Lord and for the community shows your respect for both.  Thanks for considering this!